Our People - Harris Hartas Anson

Harris Hartas Anson - Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt, Pas de Calais, France
Image by Michelle Young 
An image from the Leeds Mercury dated Monday 21 December 1914. It shows the wedding of Harris's sister, Mary Anson at Selby. Captioned 'the bridal party', it is possible Harris is one of the uniformed men.
British Newspaper Archive
2nd Lieutenant Harris Hartas Anson
1/5 Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment.
Died 30 August 1918 - Aged 27
Harris is buried  at Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt, Pas de Calais, France - Ref: I.A.13.
Leyland - Church Road Civic Memorial
Leyland - St.James's Cross

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2nd Lieutenant Harris Hartas Anson served with the 5th Battalion the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment.  He was born in Hambleton, North Yorkshire very early in 1891.  He was the son of Harris Anson and Eliza Foxton and was the brother of Eliza (born c.1890) and Mary (born C.1893).  Harris was a Farmer's merchant and Harris Hartas was listed as a Farmer's son in the 1911 Census.  The family must have been prosperous as they employed two maids.  Harris Hartas was boarding away at school in Boston Spa in 1901.  The only school for boarders I have found in that town is the St. John school for the deaf and hearing impaired, so it is possible that he had a hearing impairment of some kind.  If correct, the impairment did not stop him from serving.
Harris married Kathleen (Kitty) Berry at St.James's Church, Moss Side, Leyland on 6th March 1918. Kitty was the grand-daughter of Andrew Berry, the mill owner and textile manufacturer. 
MARRIAGES. ANSON-BERRY. - On the 6th March, 1918, at St.James's Church, Leyland, Lancs., by the Rev. C. E. Fynes-Clinton, Vicar, assisted by the Rev. E.G. Marshall, Vicar of Lever Bridge, Bolton, HARRIS HARTAS ANSON, Sec.-Lieut. Duke of Wellington's Own Regt., only son of HARRIS ANSON, Esq., J.P., and of Mrs. ANSON, Greystones, Hambleton, Yorks., to KATHLEEN MARGARET (KITTY), second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. EDMUND BERRY, of Lostock Grove, Leyland, Lancs. Lancashire Daily Post, Friday 8, Saturday 9 & Monday 11 March 1918.
MILITARY WEDDING. INTERESTING EVENT AT LEYLAND. An interesting military wedding took place on Wednesday afternoon, at St.James's Church, Leyland, when Second-Lieutenant Harris Hartas Anson, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Yeomanry, only son of Mr. Harris Anson, J.P., "Greystones," Hambleton, Yorkshire, was married to Miss Kathleen Margaret (Kitty) Berry, second daughter of Mr. Edmund Berry, J.P., Lostock Grove, of the firm of Messrs. Andrew Berry and Sons, cotton manufacturers. There was a large gathering at the church to witness the ceremony, appropriate music being rendered, the hymn, "The Voice that breathed o'er Eden," being sung, and the Wedding March played by the organist (Mr. John Wilson). The ceremony was performed by the vicar (the Rev. C. E. Fynes-Clinton), assisted by the Rev. E. G. Marshall (vicar of Darcy Lever, Bolton), who gave an address after the ceremony. Merry peals were rung on the bells during the ceremony and afterwards. The bride was given away by her father, and wore an ivory satin chameuse, veiled with point d'Alcon lace, with pearls and silver trimmings. She carried a bouquet of pink carnations and lilies, and wore a diamond pendant, the gift of the bridegroom. She was attended by her four young sisters, the youngest being attired in pale blue chameuse, her youngest brother acting as page boy. They also carried bouquets, the gifts of the bridegroom. Mr. Basil Berry, brother of the bride, acted as best man. A reception was afterwards held at Lostock Grove, amongst those present being Col. Crump, Captain Heaton, and Lieutenant Clough. Later in the day the happy pair left for Harrogate, where the honeymoon will be spent, the bride travelling in a grey cloth dress embroidered in white and silver. The presents were numerous and costly (...there follows a list of presents and the givers). Preston Herald, Saturday 9 March 1918
Photographs of Lostock Grove & Andrew Berry & Sons Mill. Images (C) Charles O'Donnell
The War Diary of his Battalion reads:
"August 30th.  The general attack was continued and the battalion cooperated. The task for the battalion was as follows - In cooperation with the 2/4th. Duke of Wellington's Regt. on our left the battalion had to take the line of the railway from about I.1.d.4.2.S. of VAUX VRAUCOURT to a point where the trench crosses the railway about I.7.d.1.9. as a first objective, and a line from I.8.a.7.8. to I.8.a.7.0. as a second objective, and a line from I.8.a.7.8. to I.8.a.7.0. as a second objective.  The 2/4th Duke of Wellington's Regt attacked on a similar line north of us.  Zero hour was 5.am.  The barrage came down on the line of the BAPUAME - ECOUST Rd and paused there for three minutes.  Then moved forward at the rate of 100 yards in three minutes till it got to the first objective (the line of the railway).  There it halted for 15 minutes until 6.25am. and then went on to the final objective at the rate of 100 yards in 6 minutes.  Two tanks moved forward with the Brigade attacking troops, keeping well under the barrage and working independantly of the Infantry.
"A" & "D" Companies remained in their captured trenches of the day previous.  "B" Company was detailed for the attack with "C" Company in close reserve.  "B" Company was organised into 3 platoons.  One platoon advanced in one line to take the first objective, the two remaining platoons advanced in columns behind the leading platoon and leap frogged through them to take the second objective. At zero the leading platoon advanced, keeping well under the barrage.  Very little opposition was met with and several prisoners were captured before the first objective was reached.  After capturing the first objective the remaining two platoons extended and passed through to the second objective.  Again no heavy opposition was encountered until nearing the objective when a hostile machine gun, became active.  A Lewis Gun was set on and quickly silenced the enemy M.G.  The consolidation was done without enemy interference.  Our casualties were very light.  One M.G. was captured and about 100 prisoners.  Touch with both flanks was quickly gained and maintained throughout.
Towards the end of the day the battalion was disposed as follows - 
One company holding the line I.8.a.7.5. to I.8.a.7.2. with 2 platoons and 2 platoons in support about line of railway in I.7.b.  Two companies in trench system about H.6.o. and H.12.b.  One company in Bank H.6.b.  Battn. H.Q. shared the H.Q. of 94th. Inf. Bde at H.5.d.9.2."  
Harris H Anson on Leyland Memorials. Images (C) Charles O'Donnell
The local newspapers in Lancashire and Yorkshire reported Harris's death as follows:
ROLL OF HONOUR. KILLED. Sec.-Lieut. Harris H. Anson, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, only son of Mr. Harris Anson, Greystones, Hambleton, Selby, is officially reported killed on August 30th. He was 27 years of age, and had been in the Forces since the beginning of the war. HULL DAILY MAIL Monday 9 & Saturday 14 September 1918

SEC.-LIEUT. HARRIS H. ANSON, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, only son of Mr. Harris Anson, Greystones, Hambleton, Selby, is officially reported killed on August 30. He was 27 years of age, and had been in the Forces since the beginning of the war, serving in Egypt about two years. On returning home he was granted a commission. In March last he married Miss Kathleen M. Berry, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Berry, of Lostock Grove, Leyland, Lancashire. YORKSHIRE POST AND LEEDS INTELLIGENCER Monday 9 September 1918
Second Lieutenant Harris H. Anson, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, only son of Mr Harris Anson of Greystones, Hambleton, Selby, is officially reported killed on 29th (sic) August 1918. He was 27 years of age and had been in the forces since the beginning of the war, serving in Egypt about 2 years. On returning home he was granted a commission. CHORLEY GUARDIAN AND LEYLAND HUNDRED ADVERTISER Saturday, 14 September, 1918

A Memorial Service was held at St. James’s, Moss Side, on Sunday evening for the late Lt. Harold (sic) H. Anson, who recently fell in action. He married on March 6th last, Miss Kathleen M. Berry, second daughter of Mr and Mrs Berry of Lostock Grove, Leyland. The Service was conducted by the Rev C. E. Fynes-Clinton (this report also appears in the Preston Guardian of the same date). CHORLEY GUARDIAN AND LEYLAND HUNDRED ADVERTISER Saturday, 28 September, 1918
​​Charles O'Donnell
Please email the project with any amendments or corrections 
Edited 21 November 2016​
Sources
1901 Census of England via Ancestry.co.uk / 1911 Census of England via Ancestry.co.uk / Commonwealth War Graves Commission / Soldiers Died in the Great War vis Ancestry.co.uk / WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920 via Ancestry.co.uk / British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 via Ancestry.co.uk / Original work by William Waring, Leyland Historical Society / British Newspaper Archive
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